The Lafayette-to-Logansport section of the Hoosier Heartland Highway was the final link in the state's plan for a transportation corridor that will stretch 99 miles from Lafayette to Fort Wayne. The purpose of the proposed project was to provide for safer, more convenient travel.
In September 1999, Governor Frank O'Bannon opened the 8-mile section of the Hoosier Heartland Highway from Logansport north. The entire segment between Logansport and Fort Wayne was opened in fall 2000. Preliminary design and environmental studies took place within the Lafayette-to-Logansport study corridor, which began near Lafayette at the I-65 interchange and headed northeast to Logansport.
Qk4 (formerly Presnell Associates of Indiana Inc) was selected by INDOT to perform the preliminary design and environmental analysis work tasks for the proposed project. The work by Qk4 focused in three areas that helped guide the decision-making process: environmental impact, engineering feasibility, and public input.
Environmental Impact: Environmental scientists studied the impacts each alternative might have on resources such as wetlands, endangered species, historic properties, farmland, archaeological sites, air and water quality, noise, land use, neighborhoods, and socioeconomic conditions.
Engineering Feasibility: Engineers developed preliminary designs for each feasible alternative to satisfy the travel demand and meet state and federal standards for safety and efficiency.
Public Input: Public involvement was essential to this process. A program was developed to gather information from a broad base of interested citizens, community representatives, and residents of potentially affected areas through a series of public meetings. Public meetings have been held throughout the process to share information and obtain comments about the proposed project. These comments became part of the official record and were considered in the decision-making process. The public has also been informed through a series of project newsletters and through this web site, which is designed to provide information as well as to receive public input (click on Comments).
The project is currently in the design phase, and is being designed in four segments each with its own consulting firm. Projected construction dates are 2008-2014.